Label dispenser apparatus

Abstract

A label dispenser apparatus configured for dispensing labels from a plurality of rolls of a carrier film having labels disposed thereon. The label dispenser apparatus includes a lower roll retaining member and a upper tape guide assembly. The lower roll retaining member includes a front edge, a back edge and a concave surface therebetween. The concave surface being configured to cradle a roll of film having labels disposed thereon. The upper tape guide assembly is spaced apart therefrom and includes a peel shaft, a support shaft and a carrier shaft. The film guide path extends behind and around the peel shaft, between the peel shaft and the support shaft, looping around the support shaft and over the carrier shaft, such that a label is released by the movement around the peel shaft, and the label path proceeds directly over the support shaft and the carrier shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A label dispenser apparatus configured for dispensing labels from a plurality of rolls of a carrier film having labels disposed thereon, the label dispenser apparatus having at least one label dispensing unit comprising:
 a lower roll retaining member extending from a first side to a second side, the lower roll retaining member including a front edge, a back edge and a concave surface therebetween, the concave surface being configured to cradle the plurality of rolls of the carrier film having labels disposed thereon; 
 an upper tape guide assembly spaced apart from the lower roll retaining member extending from the first side to the second side, in a configuration that is substantially parallel to the lower roll retaining member, thereby defining a space therebetween for positioning of the plurality of rolls of the carrier film having labels disposed thereon, the upper tape guide assembly further comprising: 
 a peel shaft comprising a rod that extends substantially parallel to the back edge of the lower roll retaining member, and configured to be above the plurality of rolls of carrier film having labels disposed thereon; 
 a support shaft extending substantially parallel to the peel shaft, and vertically closer to the lower roll retaining member; and 
 a carrier shaft extending substantially parallel to the peel shaft and the support shaft, an unimpeded path disposed from the support shaft to the carrier shaft, and the carrier shaft positioned so as to be substantially proximate the front edge of the lower roll retaining member and configured to be above the plurality of rolls of carrier film having labels disposed thereon, the label dispensing unit lacking guide elements between the peel shaft and the carrier shaft, 
 wherein a film guide path is defined to extend behind and around the peel shaft, then between the peel shaft and the support shaft, looping around the support shaft so as to thereafter extend the film guide path substantially in a direction of the carrier shaft and over the carrier shaft, such that a label is released by the movement around the peel shaft, and the film guide path proceeds directly between the support shaft and the carrier shaft, the carrier shaft contacting a carrier liner of the carrier film; and 
 wherein the peel shaft is positioned proximate a back wall that extends upwardly from the rear edge of the lower roll retaining member, to, in turn, be configured to allow the carrier film to extend from the roll substantially parallel to the back wall to the peel shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. The label dispenser apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support shaft and the carrier shaft are substantially parallel to each other and generally equidistantly spaced from the lower roll retaining member. 
     
     
       3. The label dispenser apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the peel shaft is positioned relative to the support shaft so that the carrier film is configured to extend approximately half way around the peel shaft. 
     
     
       4. The label dispenser apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the carrier film has tangential contact on a front incline and a back incline of the concave surface of the lower roll retaining member. 
     
     
       5. The label dispenser apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support shaft and the carrier shaft are positioned horizontally at least substantially on a same plane. 
     
     
       6. The label dispenser apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a separator assembly including a pivot shaft and a plurality of separator blades that pivot about the pivot shaft, the plurality of separator blades being positioned between the plurality of the plurality of rolls of the carrier film having labels disposed thereon, respectively.